Senior Healthcare Assistant

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279); Worthing; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Worthing is seeking a Senior Healthcare Assistant to join the Amberley Unit. This role involves supporting haematology and oncology patients and providing direct patient care. Applicants should have a Care Certificate and relevant NHS experience. The position is open to those internationally educated in nursing who have worked in an acute setting. Excellent communication skills and the ability to maintain high standards of patient care are essential.

Qualifications

• Previous NHS or NHS primary care experience with a Care Certificate.
• Ability to demonstrate higher-level standard of care delivery.
• Computer skills to document activities electronically.

Responsibilities

• Welcome patients and direct enquiries to staff.
• Record patients' weight and vital signs.
• Assist nursing with procedures like bone marrow biopsies.

Skills

Computer/keyboard skills

Good written and spoken English

Venepuncture experience

ECG training

Wound dressing skills

Education

Care Certificate

Maths GCSE (grade C or above)

English GCSE (grade C or above)

Job description

Senior Healthcare Assistant

The closing date is 26 January 2026

An opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated individual to join our friendly team. The Amberley Unit provides outpatient services for haematology and oncology patients, including systemic anti‑cancer treatments and supportive therapies.

If you are passionate about making a positive difference in our patients’ lives, we would love to hear from you. University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust is a leading, welcoming trust that offers rewarding career opportunities for caring, committed and innovative people who wish to be valued for their work and empowered to improve the services we provide. Cancer services at the trust in Worthing and Chichester deliver high quality, innovative cancer care, palliative and end‑of‑life care closer to home.

This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route; sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including relevant skill and salary thresholds and any role‑specific criteria. Applicants must be able to evidence a minimum of two years’ experience in the same role (Band 3 HCA within the NHS) to meet the salary requirements for sponsorship.

Main duties of the job

• Actively and safely participate as a member of the Haematology/Oncology Day Unit nursing team, contributing to the smooth and efficient running of the unit.
• Carry out assigned tasks involving direct patient care and, when required, support cross‑Trust activities at the Fernhurst Centre (SRH) and Balcombe ward (Worthing).

About us

Working for our organisation, diversity is our strength. We want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran‑Aware Trust.

Candidate Pack

For this role it is essential that you have previous NHS or NHS primary care experience with a Care Certificate from an Ofqual‑regulated awarding organisation. Alternatively, you must be an internationally educated nurse, midwife or doctor who has worked in an acute NHS Trust within recent years with evidence of your degree verified by an ENIC report. Please ensure you attach your Care Certificate and/or ENIC report to your application as this will be required for interview.

Job responsibilities

• Welcome patients and visitors, directing specific enquiries to nursing or medical staff.
• Welcome patients in for their treatment appointment, record their weight, carry out and record vital signs, ensuring any abnormalities are escalated to nursing staff.
• Assist nursing/medical staff with procedures such as bone marrow biopsies and PICC line insertion.
• Procure and safely send off clinical specimens as required by the nurse or doctor.
• Access patient transport systems and track progress.
• Maintain infection control and assist with a weekly cleaning schedule.
• Undertake basic clerical and reception duties when required.
• Be actively involved in delivering a high standard of individual holistic patient care to promote and maintain all aspects of their physical, social, cultural and psychological needs.

Applicants must have a minimum of 18 months remaining on their Graduate visa if this role is not sponsorable.

Person Specification

Experience / Qualifications

• Care Certificate from an Ofqual‑regulated awarding organisation.
• NHS experience or NHS primary care experience required, or an internationally educated nurse, midwife or doctor who has worked in an acute hospital setting within recent years.
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge and skills acquisition at a higher‑level standard of care delivery, equivalent to vocational qualification level 3, evidenced via a portfolio of practice and/or a professional discussion.
• Maths GCSE (grade C or above or grade 4 to 9) or Maths Level 2 functional skills.
• English GCSE (grade C or above or grade 4 to 9) or English Level 2 functional skills.

Skills

• Computer/keyboard skills sufficient to send/receive emails and document activities electronically in the Electronic Patient Record.
• Good written and spoken English – able to communicate clearly and succinctly to patients and colleagues; legible handwriting and ability to maintain accurate documentation.
• Completed training and experience with service‑specific senior HCA extended scope of practice skills, such as venepuncture, ECGs, simple wound dressings.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues.
• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, and a submission for Disclosure will be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer name

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)